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Synonyms

prime the pump

Idioms  

  1. Encourage the growth or action of something, as in Marjorie tried to prime the pump by offering some new issues for discussion. In the late 1800s this expression originally was used for pouring liquid into a pump to expel the air and make it work. In the 1930s it was applied to government efforts to stimulate the economy and thereafter was applied to other undertakings.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And that status quo would prime the pump for more SoFi loan applications.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2023

Therefore, if you’re ready to start your journey toward being a better Angeleno, here are several suggestions to prime the pump and set you on the path.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2022

The machine heats up quickly and is ready to go in about a minute, though you’ll need to prime the pump to move water through the system before pulling your first shot.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2021

Either by starting tech companies or attracting firms here, “We have to prime the pump to fuel the stream of great ideas here,” McDonald said.

From Washington Times • Mar. 29, 2020

After that we prime the pump to get all the air out, our eyes meeting as we wait for the formula to make its way down the tube.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.